WINFIELD – A Kanawha County woman has sued Putnam General Hospital claiming she slipped and fell on an ice removal substance in its parking lot.

Judy Caldwell filed the suit Feb. 13 in Putnam Circuit Court. She says she was visiting the hospital on Feb. 2, 2004, to have an MRI done on her left hand and that she had parked in the patient parking lot.

"While proceeding carefully to her automobile in an area of ingress and egress between parking levels, plaintiff slipped and fell on a patch of extremely thick ice removal substance which had apparently build-up over several snow falls," the suit claims. "No snow or ice was present on the relevant date."

Caldwell, who is being represented by attorney Kimberly E. Williams, claims she suffered serious physical injuries and permanent disabilities, including a complete tear of her anterior cruciate ligament. She also says she has incurred medical and care expenses and expects more in the future. In addition, she says she has suffered physical pain and mental and emotional anguish and expects more of that in the future as well.

She seeks compensatory damages, interest and court costs. And she requests a jury trial.